4 Emerging Malaysian menswear designers you need to know

Founded by Emran Rijal, Emri Vision first came into the scene in June 2021 — a bold move, considering it was in the middle of a pandemic. Still, the creative director and designer kept his creative fire going as he patiently waited for things to return to normalcy. "Emri Vision is more than just a fashion brand. We're a collective of individuals who dare to dream of a world where clothing is not just a statement but a reflection of our values. With our bold and daring approach to fashion, we strive to empower those who seek to stand out from the crowd and challenge the norm”, states the label. 

Through Emri Vision, Emran aims to pay homage to his upbringing in Kuala Lumpur, showing what a local creative has to offer in terms of craftsmanship, technique and sustainable fabrication. His creations, rendered in the brand’s signature green hue, are wardrobe classics that are given that street-cool, contemporary edge. Two years in, the brand has managed to hit some noteworthy milestones, from dressing some of the biggest names in the Malaysian entertainment industry (Aina Abdul, Ain Edruce, SonaOne and more) to participating in this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur.

Fun fact: Dickson Lim is the youngest designer to debut at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week at the age of 19. Having launched his eponymous label in 2020, the creative, who hails from Kuching, Sarawak, redefines the art of tailoring with his unconventional constructions. His philosophy? To break the boundaries of creativity and to champion self-expression. Go through his collections and you’ll know his work speaks for itself. His designs have been spotted on global celebrities including actors Quincy Brown and Kuan-Ting Liu, TikTok star Reece Feldman at the Oscars, singer 24kGoldn, influencer Bretman Rock and more, too, are proof. 

Dickson recently showcased his Spring/Summer 2024 collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur 2023. Titled “Heatwave”, the line-up features his signature cutting-edge silhouettes that are amped up with bold prints, striking colours and a juxtaposition of materials. Less than a month later, the designer participated in a creative design competition held by the World Federation of Master Tailors in Italy and emerged as the champion. Needless to say, for the designer, it’s only onward and upward from here.

MSYD is the brainchild of fashion architect and textile designer Masyadi Mansoor. Known for its eye-catching puffer designs that bring the wow factor, the brand has garnered a list of local celebrity clientele including DeFam’s Sophia Liana, Janna Nick, Shiha ZIkir and Aina Abdul. Aina, in particular, has supported the label since early on, having donned Masyadi’s designs for her music videos, award shows, concerts and more. 

Less than a year after his debut show during CIMB Artober, the group’s annual art, culture and lifestyle initiative, MSYD showcased its latest collection during Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week. A myriad of its signature puffer ensembles rendered in a vivid colour palette and silhouettes are elevated to new heights. 

Phyn Studio is a contemporary streetwear brand that exudes that cool nonchalance. Its designer Phoenix Tan creates with gender fluidity in mind — cue his reflective Papillon biker jacket, his slouchy Biggie pants and more. One of its most well-loved designs is the Big Bro shirts, launched in partnership with the multilabel store Against Lab under a sub-brand called ABP (Against by Phyn). The founders of both brands bonded over their love for basketball, which is why the unisex line offers an array of Basketball-inspired hoodies and shorts too. 

The brand was recently tapped by Levi’s to conduct an upcycle denim workshop that turns your old denim into one-of-a-kind accessories. These projects that deconstruct and reassemble objects into new forms are curated under his side project called Morph by Phyn. Other collaborations include a capsule line for the 2022 Hennessy x NBA partnership.